Keto Means
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Why is keto so hard the second time?

Switching back and forth makes it even more difficult to retrain your body to start burning fat again for fuel. Eating too many carbs blocks your body's ability to burn fat, so as long as you eat this way, you rarely tap into your body's fat stores.

What happens when you don't drink alcohol for a month?
What happens when you don't drink alcohol for a month?

Summary. Across the month, your body is likely to have benefitted greatly from giving up alcohol. Better hydration and improved sleep will have...

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Why is all my fat in my stomach?
Why is all my fat in my stomach?

Causes include poor diet, lack of exercise, and short or low-quality sleep. A healthy diet and active lifestyle can help people lose excess belly...

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Why Round 2 of Atkins Is Not Always the Same

I’ve seen this topic mentioned quite often within the forums; someone is complaining about how they tried Atkins years ago, successfully lost a lot of weight, but then fell off the wagon and gained it back. Since Atkins worked for them in the past, they figured they would try it again. But this second time around, it’s different. The pounds aren’t coming off as fast and the process is a lot slower. Why?

There are a lot of reasons. It’s likely you may have tried some quick-fix diets during your break from Atkins, where you lost weight and then gained it all back. All that yo-yo’ing could slow down your metabolism, which means your body stubbornly wants to hold on to the pounds you are trying to lose. Another reason? Your metabolism tends to slow down as you get older. If you tried Atkins in your 30s, and now you’re giving it another shot in your 40’s or 50’s, your body may react differently. An even bigger reason? When you do Atkins the right way, you start burning fat for fuel instead of carbs. When you go off of Atkins and re-introduce all those carbs back into your diet (and/or start cutting natural fats), you start burning carbs for fuel again. Switching back and forth makes it even more difficult to retrain your body to start burning fat again for fuel. Eating too many carbs blocks your body’s ability to burn fat, so as long as you eat this way, you rarely tap into your body’s fat stores. Instead, they remain permanently attached to your hips, thighs, belly and all the other well-padded areas of your body. The over consumption of carbs acts as a roadblock standing in the way of burning (and losing) fat, just like that schoolyard bully used to block your access to the swings at the playground years ago. Not only are you unable to lose weight without drastically cutting back on calories (which leaves you perpetually hungry and vulnerable to falling off the wagon), you’re also plagued with a whole set of side effects from the blood sugar rollercoaster: uneven energy levels, feeling bloated, excessive hunger, cravings for foods and the inability to concentrate. Meanwhile, on Atkins, you now have access to a valuable tool that allows you to burn your own body fat for energy, and keep hunger at bay. When you cut back on carbs sufficiently, your body transitions to a primarily fat-burning metabolism, forcing the bully to step aside. Scientists refer to it as a fat-burning metabolism, but we call this ally the Atkins Edge. It enables you to stop the metabolic bully in its tracks so you lose fat pounds without experiencing undue hunger, cravings, energy depletion, or any sense of deprivation. When you burn fat for energy all day (and all night), your blood sugar remains on an even keel. Without question, the Atkins Edge makes it easier to stay the course and succeed in meeting your goals.

Why do I smell after a shower?
Why do I smell after a shower?

Right after you wash your hair, the sebaceous glands are hard at work to rebalance the oil on your scalp. Bacteria, yeast, and fungi feast on the...

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Why am I hitting a wall on keto?
Why am I hitting a wall on keto?

You're eating too many carbs One of the main reasons people don't lose weight on the ketogenic diet is that they're consuming too many carbs. To...

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Bottom line? I’m so glad you’ve decided to come back to Atkins. Be patient. Even if it takes longer this time around to regain the Atkins Edge, it will happen if you follow the program the right way. By encouraging your body to burn primarily fat for energy, you can lose weight and ultimately maintain your healthy new weight—all while feeling pleasantly satisfied by your meals. What has been your experience with returning to Atkins after a break? I’d love to hear! Please share your thoughts with the Atkins Community and also let me know what you’d like to hear about in the future.

What does urine look like when losing weight?
What does urine look like when losing weight?

Your urine will be lighter in color. This is because when your body burns fat, it releases water and glycogen into your urine. These substances...

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How can I get back into ketosis in 24 hours?
How can I get back into ketosis in 24 hours?

Bottom Line. It's possible to get into ketosis in 24 hours by taking strict actions such as fasting and high intensity exercising. It's important...

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Is mashed potato allowed in keto diet?
Is mashed potato allowed in keto diet?

Traditional mashed potatoes are not suitable for a keto diet. They contain far too many carbs that could easily kick someone out of ketosis. Nov...

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Can you eat french fries on the keto diet?
Can you eat french fries on the keto diet?

Are French Fries Keto? If we're talking about traditional french fries made with potatoes, then the answer to this question is no. French fries...

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